Chrome Shelled Regios:Volume13 Chapter1p1
Chapter 1: Cadenza Road Itto
A faint blue dimness pervaded the surroundings.
A stone without any taint. Its surface was transparent like a mirror, reflecting the faint light like water. No one knew where the light came from. Or perhaps, the wall itself was releasing this faint light? But the light was not enough to chase away the darkness. Light and dark combined to create this special faintly blue gloom. It made a person feel like he was swimming in moonlight.
“This is?”
Words seeded with doubt echoed faintly. The sound rippled in the dimness. The surroundings stirred.
“This is the inner court of Grendan,” Alsheyra said in a low voice behind her.
Alsheyra reached out a hand behind Leerin. Unlike before, that long and elegant finger guided Leerin’s gaze. A hand that had been decorated. The decorations adorning her hand sparkled lightly in the darkness. It was also a strong hand. The hand of a guardian who was stronger than any Military Artists in Grendan.
The door.
It didn’t look any different than the wall. But there was nothing behind them here, so Leerin understood this was the door.
The door was in front of her.
No, it existed here.
Alsheyra continued her narrative. Synola, the person who went to school together with Leerin was in fact the Queen who governed Grendan. Facts were always accompanied with an element of surprise. Leerin was surprised at that time too. But she had already seen through it before the disguise came off. Leerin’s right eye had seen through Synola to the real identity that was Alsheyra Almonise.
“Inside this place is the person who is connected to the beginning of the world. She is the prototype of all Electronic Fairies. She lived in the very first Regios. She is the first guardian to the human race. All Electronic Fairies are copies of her. That way of putting it might be more suitable.”
Alsheyra’s explanation was meaningless. It was both wrong and right. Leerin’s right eye knew.
That person was connected to the creation of the world. That person had been reborn in order to guard the human race. However, that wasn’t her wish. She was anticipating the person who had helped her regain her lost identity. She lived till now to wait for his reappearance. In fact, she didn’t care about the fate of this world. All she prayed for was his safe return.
He was the true owner of Leerin’s right eye. What lived in Leerin’s body was just his shadow. And the origin of that shadow was……
“Is it really all right?” Alsheyra said.
Leerin thought of her words.
“Since what will happen next wouldn’t be that bad. The worst situation might not occur during our lifetimes. There’s no need to go past this door and no need to know the truth. Even so, do you still want to?”
The knot in Leerin’s heart tightened at that question.
“…….. Don’t you understand?”
“Huh?”
“Do you not understand anything? Things might begin in the next moment. The shadow might swap with the real body. If that doesn’t happen, what about next time? It might happen soon! Isn’t that so?”
“Yes, I don’t deny that. Things are starting to move, but I don’t know at what speed. The flow of time in the two sides might differ. Perhaps, while we’re making our preparations, a hundred years might have flowed past.”
“………. I don’t know. Didn’t we just arrive here?”
“Yes. Either way, we don’t know.”
“That’s why we should do our best in the present.”
“That’s the right choice. But is it really all right?”
Alsheyra’s repeated question stabbed Leerin’s heart. The question stabbed deeper than the initial question, making it hard to breathe.
“…….. Why, why are you asking?”
“What we need now is the “correct choice” that everyone can accept. Isn’t that so?”
“…………….”
“What we need now is also the “correct choice” of your feelings. Right?”
Leerin clutched her chest tightly, feeling the pain, making herself accept Alsheyra’s words. She did it because they were words she wanted to hear and words she couldn’t disobey. But the temptation in the words and the pain both landed in her heart. She was determined to untie that knot in her.
Perhaps that was the truth.
No, she already knew what the “right” choice was. But she couldn’t accept it, and she couldn’t be persuaded. She didn’t even know how things would turn out if she took action.
“So I………….”
Once more, she took a step out. Facing the wall, she walked close to the door.
“I knew from birth that this day would come, so I could walk this path without confusion. But Leerin-chan’s different. The sudden realization, the sudden involvement. It’s ok though you only knew of the burden of fate you carry. No one would blame you. I wouldn’t blame you.”
“……… Thanks.”
But Leerin’s steps did not cease. She would just keep on walking. That way………. It didn’t matter.
Nina Antalk slept. The golden goat was near her. Sparkling light exuded from it as it waited for the timing from not too far away, watching her.
Where is this place?
It wasn’t a real place. At least, it wasn’t some place she was familiar with. Not Zuellni. Not Schneibel. An alien place.
This wasn’t a real place because Nina knew she was sleeping.
The Haikizoku. Only he was watching her.
“You are………..”
She tried to get closer, but the goat retreated at the same speed. She didn’t see him moving though. Perhaps this was the distance of the mind between her and the goat. That was what a dream was, which meant she was still sleeping. There was nothing here. Everywhere was dark. Nina and the Haikizoku floated in the darkness. Time flowed. The two kept silent. No, did time exist? No matter how long one was in a dream, only a few seconds would pass in reality. Time in a dream was meaningless. In that case, perhaps the silence between them hadn’t been a long one. But it felt long to Nina.
She wanted to say something. The silence made her uneasy.
“What is your name?”
The goat that had kept still like a statue finally moved. Its body shook lightly.
“As an Electronic Fairy, you were once a city’s consciousness? I saw it. That was your city, wasn’t it? Then you should have a name.”
“I’ve become the blade of revenge. A name means nothing. I only desire for the person who will use me and the person who can use my power.”
“You mean me?”
“For now, I look at you to see whether you can complete the blade of revenge or as the flame of hatred, turn me into a blazing flame. Or turn my face into that of that person who is like a beast of ill-omen. I will keep looking.”
“Who are your enemies?”
She knew of the Haikizoku’s power when it was on a rampage. That information she had obtained from Haia. Changed by its hatred for those who had destroyed its city, the Haikizoku had transformed into a dangerous power that could be lent to a Military Artist, and its target was the filth monsters. The Haikizoku had caused the Academy City to go on a rampage, and it had entered Nina’s body. If she didn’t have Zuellni’s help, she wouldn’t be able to suppress its power. After that, she had come to the city of Myath and was involved in the fight against the Wolf Faces. To put it another way, a certain huge power had made her fight them.
This might be connected to Dixerio. While preventing the Wolf Faces’ plan from coming into fruition, Nina had been dragged into this thing that was connected to Dixerio.
But that might also be wrong. Dixerio might not be the cause of her movement to Myath. Perhaps the overlapping of the two of them had caused a simultaneous movement. Perhaps this had occurred for the first time since the Haikizoku’s power entered her body.
“The negative substance that wishes for this world’s destruction. The person who spreads it. The people who want to bring their ideal into reality. I belong to this world. I exist in this world. It’s natural for me to battle and bet on this world’s existence.”
“The Wolf Faces too.”
“Of course.”
“Just what are they?”
“………….”
“They are planning something, that I can tell. It must be something bad. Those guys don’t care for the deaths of Electronic Fairies and their cities. I understand we must defeat them, but I don’t know what they’re doing.”
“………..” The Haikizoku was silent.
“I don’t know why they do what they do. You know, don’t you? Then tell me.”
“………” The Haikizoku was silent.
“Tell me. I don’t know. I know nothing about the enemies. “Something bad” isn’t an explanation I can accept.”
“…………..” The Haikizoku remained silent.
What was the meaning behind that silence? “Tell me everything. Who are we fighting? What is the point of it? I want to know what other threats there are to this world other than the filth monsters.”
“I know your anger.”
That was the battle in Zuellni against the giants. The sound of Military Artists who craved for battle rose and fell. This was a hopeless and hated scene for the Haikizoku. He cursed his impotence. As a city’s consciousness that worked to protect humans, he had failed to take up his responsibility.
This scene hammered home his impotence.
The Haikizoku managed to live by feeding on his despair. It searched for a Military Artist it could entrust its power to battle the filth monsters, the Wolf Faces and the unknown enemies to this world. He ended up living in Nina’s body. Even so, why didn’t he tell her everything?
“……….. I too, I’ve sighed at my impotence.”
Nina put a hand on her chest, recalling the pain in her memory. This memory started from Schneibel. She had failed to save the little Electronic Fairy. After that, she had come to Zuellni so to train herself. But she still felt powerless even though she was in Zuellni. A loss in the previous Military Arts Competition had left Zuellni short of supplies.
“We cannot lose next time. We must win in the next Military Arts Competition.” She had kept training while holding this belief. In order to strengthen her resolve, she had left team 14 to start her own 17th platoon. She had invited Sharnid, who had left team 10, to join her. Later on, the Student President had recommended Felli. Harley had become the platoon’s Dite technician, and the platoon had started its activities despite its low number of members.
Nina had felt uneasy. Perhaps her first step was wrong. Perhaps it was wrong to strengthen her resolve under those circumstances. They didn’t have any outstanding fighting power, nor did they have any brilliant tactics. Perhaps it was more correct to work under the captain of the 14th platoon and let him draw out her potential. That unease had always occupied her heart. Perhaps she should disband the platoon. That thought had come to her again and again, but she had stomached all the weaknesses of the team.
At last, Layfon appeared.
His existence was so bright. His power drew Nina in the right direction. Though there were many accidents, they had finally won in the intercity match with Myath. Zuellni was released from its situation. Though this wasn’t the last Military Arts Competition, if this kept on going, Zuellni probably wouldn’t lose.
Zuellni had been released from its crisis. But what did Nina gain? It was good to have formed the 17th platoon? What had the platoon that reflected her will offered in the battle? Did everything else become meaningless as long as Layfon was here?
“I actually didn’t do anything. Aren’t I still a meaningless and powerless existence? Haikizoku, you chose to live in my body. But that power is yours. I’m just a tool to manifest your power. As I thought, I’m still powerless. Is that why you aren’t telling me anything?”
Her chest hurt. Her breathing hurt. She had left Schneibel for a certain goal. What had she achieved now? She was jealous of Layfon, and she disliked herself for being unable to hate him. She must be very ugly.
What was she thinking when Karian reproached Layfon for relying on her for the reason of battle? What was she feeling when she fought the giants and was almost taken over by the Haikizoku? Was she here just because of her own willfulness?
“……… You who comprehend your powerlessness.”
The Haikizoku spoke as she sank into negative thought.
“You understand the heart of Electronic Fairy. It was a correct choice to stay in your body. But your resolve is not enough. Perhaps you have experienced the hell of this world, but your resolve to strive for the future is not enough.”
“I mean the resolve to keep fighting, you little Military Artist. You who have become my son.”
This wasn’t the Haikizoku’s voice. A new existence was now in this darkness, in this incredible dream.
“You are………..”
She sucked in a breath as she watched her. So beautiful. So unexpected. Looking from a human’s perspective, her appearance stood on the fine line between beauty and ugliness. She had a human’s form, but some parts were different. Wings took over her arms. Within her hair was a long feather like a bird’s tail feather. Feathers grew on different parts of her body, and her feet were the claws of a bird’s.
Half beast and half man.
“Schneibel?”
That was Schneibel that Nina had seen when she was little.
“Great mother,” the Haikizoku called her.
A faint smile adorned Schneibel’s face. She looked at the Haikizoku then surveyed her surroundings.
“Melnisc, I’ve made you carry a painful memory. You others, no need to hide. Show yourselves.”
A change occurred. The world remained dark, but two more pictures appeared in the dark background.
It was a four-legged beast with long fur, and the other……..
“Zuellni?”
The Electronic Fairy that had grown after obtaining something from Falnir stood by Nina’s side.
“The three children who have chosen a cruel fate. This is your first time gathered together?”
“As we’re connected closely by En, no need for first time formalities,” the four-legged beast said.
“Yes, Grendan. Though I’m connected to this girl, it’s not so for others. This is the first meeting. It’s a moment that is worth remembering.”
Melnisc. Schneibel had said it. That must be the Haikizoku’s name. And she had called the four-legged beast “Grendan”. Lance Shelled City. Gorneo had said it before. There was another Electronic Fairy in Grendan. An existence that slept and was called the true will. So this four-legged beast represented the will of the sleeper. It was a Haikizoku that drove the movement of the Lance Shelled City.
And there was Zuellni, lowering her head unobtrusively beside Nina. Why did she appear with these two in here? Why did Schneibel say “The three children who have chosen a cruel fate”? What had Zuellni chosen?
“Grendan, has Saya awakened?” Schneibel said, ignoring the confused Nina.
“Not yet, but it’s close. The person with the rose and cross crafted into her and the person who possesses great power have appeared.”
“They should be in one body, but now it looks like it won’t go so smoothly.”
“Yes, but I don’t know how things will progress in this situation.”
“The shadow has become two. Though that shouldn’t have appeared, this is the first of many occurrences. We’ll have to keep watching to see what happens next. What I’m worried about is just mere worry.”
“Perhaps not, that’s why we need to make preparations.”
“As you said, and there’s also Zuellni.”
Schneibel’s gaze turned to Zuellni. The tiny Electronic Fairy looked at the mother of all Electronic Fairies without fear.
“You, who have chosen to hide in the dimness, have seen everything. What has happened to her?”
Nina watched Zuellni. The Electronic Fairy that had never spoken opened her mouth. Though she had heard the Haikizoku – Melnisc’s voice, she had never thought that other Electronic Fairies could speak. Zuellni could speak. What was her voice like?
Though this wasn’t the time to notice that, it still bothered her.
“That person has not changed.”
Zuellni’s voice was gentle and healing.
“As in the past, an upright person.”
“The same as the person that I know?”
Schneibel’s voice also felt gentle.
“I’m not sure. I do not know the person that mother knows.”
“Then, what do you feel about her?”
Zuellni crossed her arms and smiled at Nina. Nina thought of the meaning behind that smile. The conversation that was now taking place in darkness…….. She thought about it and something suddenly flashed through her mind. Darkness. Only the girl whose beauty was like that of a temptress suited this word. Nina had thought the Haikizoku had left her body……… but the girl had returned Melnisc to her body.
She was the topic of this conversation in the dark.
“She’s an upright person. She hasn’t changed since our first meeting. What she likes, she likes. What she dislikes, she dislikes. She’s clear about that.”
“You really do like her,” Schneibel said.
Zuellni smiled her usual smile. This was the Zuellni that Nina knew.
“So I’ll put my full support behind her, and Nina too.”
Though Zuellni tagged Nina onto her word, Nina was finally mentioned in the conversation.
“Um, and Grendan?”
“I’ve already obtained the information about that girl from you. Her temper and personality haven’t changed. Though I don’t think her virtues will change, since she’s determined, this will become her new strength.”
“Both of you have agreed, but the ultimate decision rests in your hand, Melnisc. You too, Nina Antalk. The children who are the knights protecting Schneibel.”
Schneibel’s gaze found Melnisc. The golden goat lowered its head.
“I………..”
“You pitiful child who knows the will of destruction just as Grendan. You pitiful child who has been baptised in despair yet still lives strong. Why do you hesitate?”
“…………..”
“Is it because revenge burns in you still and you’ve seen that beast?”
“…………”
“Is that it? But you can’t become that beast, nor can you partially become him. Though you both have the same form, he lives a different existence. An Electronic Fairy that is not my son, that shouldn’t exist in this world. No, he isn’t an Electronic Fairy. He lives in the same dimension as Saya.”
“…………”
“Zuellni is clear about him too? The darkness you protect nurtures him. Do you know what that beast is doing?”
“I……….”
“The fight with the Wolf Faces is as expected, since between them is a give and take relationship. But after that, where do the beast’s fangs point? Where are they pointing at now? Do you know?”
“………..”
Zuellni fell silent. She looked troubled. At the same time, they seemed to be on alert.
“……….. Unlike them who are closely tied by promises, we do not have a symbol. That’s why we can’t do as we please. In order to break free from the fate of waiting for the end of legend, we cannot use the legend as our aim.”
“The end of legend…….?”
What did Schneibel mean? Was this what all Electronic Fairies wished for? No, just what was their aim? Wasn’t the Haikizoku Melnisc’s wish revenge?
“Zuellni……..?”
“………”
Nina looked at Zuellni, the first friend she met after arriving at the Academy City. But Zuellni remained silent.
This was a dream.
This was Nina’s dream. That should be what it was.
But Nina failed to find a way to break this silence. She failed to wake from the dream.
He was in the dark.
“What? Isn’t it already out?”
“Because isn’t this more interesting?”
Dixerio took down the mask from his face as he watched the scenery beneath him. The mask disappeared as if melting into the air. It was a face like a beast’s. One seemed to see huge fangs during the moment of its disappearance.
“Speaking of which, aren’t you gonna explain what just happened? After all, I’m at your beck and call.”
“Ala, isn’t it normal for the hunting dog to obey its owner?”
“Tsk.”
Dixerio left.
He stood on one of Grendan’s multi-legs.
“Is this the first Regios of this world?”
“Yes. You’ve been here many times, haven’t you?”
“Unpleasant things happened every time I visited. I never had the time to appreciate its scenery.”
“But I think there are many familiar people to you here.”
“I’ve already forgotten. They aren’t worth remembering. Besides, they probably don’t remember me.”
“It’s sad, being unable to become familiar.”
The fierce wind blew Nelphilia’s hair into curls, swaying her dress. Originally, Dixerio wouldn’t let it go like that. He also didn’t accept himself in the dark for being so unsightly.
“Are you letting loose the sadness in you?”
“You saw through it?”
“That’s not like you.”
“Fu~”
Bearing the strong wind, she looked at Grendan.
“Speaking of which, the prey has appeared.”
“Then capture him, just as I wanted.”
“And the girl?”
“Bring her along. She’s my woman.”
“Ah, when did it become that kind of relationship?”
“Since she interfered with my plan.”
“So troublesome. She may be the one that Zuellni likes.”
“Then I’ll sing Zuellni a nursery rhyme.”
“Really, you’re already past that age.”
“Then I can prepare her a doll.”
“Ah, that’s a headache.”
The scenery was peaceful. The unusual event of contact with an Academy City had ended. Normal citizens had returned to their normal lives. That was the same for the Academy City too. Students had begun working hard to renew the desolate city. Though Grendan’s citizens were still perplexed about the incident, they had given the immature students as much help as they could, trying to understand the situation in the other city while being banned from interacting with them.
What peaceful scenery. No one would know the next huge wave was about to hit. Everyone thought the rain had passed.
“So when is your hunt going to end?” Nelphilia’s gaze moved from the city to Dixerio’s back.
“Until I’ve hunted them all down. The saying goes, a dog boils a dead rabbit. This time, the hunter has become the prey.”
The stirring of green Kei appeared around Dixerio as he replied. Green Kei. The flame of revenge. Though it had a low profile recently, it might be slowly waking up.
Her gaze shifted to the deep blue sky and saw the faint shadow of the moon.
“Perhaps it’s coming close.”
The moon appeared there all the time even though the sun continued to rise in the east and fall in the west.
“It seems your fangs are heavily damaged?”
“Then let new fangs be grown.”
The Dite in his hand had not been restored. This was a new Dite given by Nelphilia. It was made of metal that would never shatter no matter how much Kei was poured into it. This Dite symbolised eternity as long as Nelphilia lived. However, at present, it was rusting. Not the Dite but Dixerio. To say it clearly, it was the fang living in his heart. The reason for the rust didn’t stem from Dixerio or Nelphilia. His heart wasn’t rusting. His skill was not either.
Yet the rusting never stopped. It continued to invade and swallow the depth of Dixerio’s heart.
“Let’s go.”
Dixerio jumped into the city. It was his will to silently bear the destruction of his body.
“Perhaps it’s a good thing for you.”
She was very dissatisfied. She absolutely did not comprehend the things happening before her. She tried placing the reasons and what she didn’t comprehend side by side in her mind but the end result was blurry. Too many things were incomprehensible. And for those few things she understood, a large part of them was very abstract.
Still, there was something like a premonition.
“Geez…….”
Claribel walked in the palace.
She had originally wanted to see the real Queen but the Queen had left the palace with an unknown girl of Claribel’s age. Lintence too. Why did he bring in the unfamiliar girl? No. She could tell he had snatched her away.
Claribel saw the Academy City from Grendan. Was that girl a student in this city? Though the filth monsters had made a ruckus yesterday night, the crisis had been safely averted. Claribel had heard the only people over in that city were boys and girls of her own age. She wanted to look but her grandfather had stopped her.
“What did you say?” she didn’t get him.
But she had a premonition.
She stopped in the corridor. She could see a part of the city from here. The scenery was the usual Grendan. It was dry on the outside but full of energy in the inside. Though she knew she could feel the unexpected vitality if she was to walk the street, from here all she felt was silence. Perhaps this had to do with the layout of the buildings. Perhaps it was the influence of the tower?
What she saw now was probably different from the Academy city?
The curiosity in her heart gushed out again.
“Shall I go and see?”
Though her grandfather had stopped her, it was her freedom to listen to him or not. If she was found out, what awaited her would be harsh scolding……… But either way, she was the only one who would bear it.
So it should be ok?
That was what she was considering. Besides, wasn’t Layfon over there?
“Layfon. But I have something to confirm too.”
Her hand reached naturally for the Dite at her wrist.
Let’s just head over to the Academy City. This idea urged Claribel. Layfon was there. He became a Heaven’s Blade successor at age ten. He was also the first Heaven’s Blade to be exiled to another city.
“The person who once held the Heaven’s Blade that I can’t obtain……….”
She wasn’t that interested in his experience. What he did after becoming a Heaven’s Blade successor. The thing that had happened, and his deed that a Military Artist shouldn’t have committed………. Not interested at all – because she had already investigated them all. She even knew what the disabled Gahard Baren threatened Layfon with. The three royal families and the Heaven’s Blade successors all knew.
Even so, it was not enough to placate the anger of the citizens. Layfon had told the normal citizens the horror of a Heaven’s Blade successor. Though he had only told them a part of it, it was enough for them to feel the horror of a Heaven’s Blade successor on a rampage. Only fellow Heaven’s Blades could suppress a Heaven’s Blade. And the Queen whose strength far exceeded all Heaven’s Blades had no opponent.
They could destroy the entire city if they were to use their full strength.
Layfon possessed such power, and he had left Grendan to dwell in the Academy City, a gathering place for immature people.
For him who was still immature, Claribel wondered who he was living with.
Had he matured? Or was he still immature? She really wanted to test him.
“What should I do? Today………”
She looked at the city and turned her gaze to the sky.
Looking at herself.
A feeling of electricity had been moving behind her back. It wasn’t just here and it wasn’t just her who felt it. Everywhere else in the city felt the same. Though Grendan’s streets were silent, behind it was a force, waiting to move.
A chaotic presence mixed in with the flow of air. It felt as if any small thing would make the situation dangerous. And it felt as if everyone had forgotten the principles of Military Artists and was making a commotion. But nothing had happened yet. Was it because Grendan’s Military Artists weren’t foolish enough to react to the influence in the air? Or did everyone think that this dangerous air was nothing compared to the coming storm? Or……..
“Claribel, what’s up?”
“Ah, sensei.”
The direction that the voice came from was her sensei – Troiatte.
“Did you just get up? It’s rare to see you not sleeping.”
“Ah, I’m tired of sleeping in. I seem to have gotten used to the exciting life.”
“Only getting into the idealistic now?”
“That’s one part of it…” she shrugged, knowing her sensei’s personality.
“Has Layfon appeared?”
“Ah? No. I didn’t see him. Lintence and Ruimei seem to have. And Savaris made a joke of being severely injured.”
“Savaris-sama?”
“He didn’t have the Heaven’s Blade with him, but his head almost got separated from his body during a duel. He would have died if Lintence hadn’t sewn him up.”
“……… Did Layfon do that?”
“Seems so. He’s shown us something good.”
“Has he become stronger?”
“He hasn’t changed much from before, and he doesn’t feel that terrible. Well, though I don’t think it’s good not to change, I can’t say change is the benchmark to growth. That kind of thing is dependent of the situation.”
“Just what are you trying to say?”
“Uncertainty. The ending Lintence set isn’t quite bad.”
“Lintence designed it? Then………”
Is he already dead?
“Still alive. Though I didn’t hold much expectation for Lintence’s naivety, I didn’t feel the presence of death. Well, whether that guy lives or not doesn’t matter to me. What do you think, Claribel?”
“I’ve learnt the same having studied under you for five years.”
She reached for the Dite at her waist. She touched it and wanted to pour Kei into it. But not yet. Sparks flew. It wasn’t enough to burn up the tension in the air that was liquefied selenium.
“It’s flashing though we still don’t know what’ll happen.”
“Doesn’t matter, since I can’t go to the centre of the festival.”
“Uh?”
“That’s what a festival is, isn’t it? The battlefield that only the chosen can enter. Though I don’t like it, I’m still part of the Ronsmier family.”
“And then? Do you still want to play in the bush with guys you like rather than dance around the bonfire of the festival?”
“If it’s interesting.”
“There’re too many dangerous guys in this city who like to play with fire. I hate that.”
“What you think, sensei?”
“What answer do you want?”
“Yes, I shouldn’t have asked.”
He wasn’t the type of teacher to solve a student’s perplexity. No. This idea was formed because of her own willfulness. She walked out of the corridor after greeting Troiatte, yet he stopped at the same spot to look over Grendan as if replacing her.
Layfon Alseif.
Layfon Wolfstein Alseif. The young man who only had a one-year age gap with her. But he had obtained the acknowledgement that Claribel didn’t have.
And……. And……..
“Do you still remember me?”
She really wanted to test him. To confirm it. Claribel pondered as she suppressed the two strong desires in her. If she were to follow her heart, where would she go?
She realized she was alone after passing through the door.
Alsheyra did not follow. The door remained open. If anything happened, Leerin could escape immediately, but she felt it meaningless to support herself with that thought in this place.
The dim blue continued to stretch ahead of her.
But the atmosphere had changed. Something conquered this place. The air did not seep past the door to the outside but remained in here. It was so quiet.
This was the atmosphere that surrounded Leerin.
The only furniture in the room was a bed. An old bed. A bed with a rich bedcover and ornate decorations. The bed sheet seemed to leak the dim blue as if it had forgottenthe passage of time. Cushions were piled on the bed like a hill.
A girl slept on the bed as if she were crafted along with it.
The person in Leerin’s dream was sleeping here. The girl Leerin had seen in Zuellni.
It was her, Saya.
Everything seemed to be like a dream, ready to disappear in any moment. Leerin wondered whether the sleeping girl before her would disappear or if everything besides the girl would melt into nothingness. This was probably what it meant to acknowledge this girl’s existence. If Leerin didn’t do that, she felt this girl could not live alongside reality.
She pressed a hand to her chest. Her heart beat intensely with tension.
Why was she tense? Because of the girl? Because she noticed she was about to step on a line that would never allow her to turn back? Because she was thinking of what was to come? Because she was thinking of the life of Leerin Marfes? Because once she crossed that line, she’d have to change her name to Leerin Eutnohl? Herder Eutnohl. Because she was to acknowledge this man as her real father?
Marfes. A name without any meaning. Her adopted father had given her this name. The name itself meant nothing. But it was a name given her to enable her to enter the orphanage and forget her past, so she could keep on living. The name and its pronunciation meant nothing, but its existence was important.
Marfes. This name called forth her past. The life at the orphanage. The time with Layfon. Many things had happened. Sometimes it was sad, sometimes happy, sometimes difficult. She had felt contempt from people for being an orphan. The older brothers would protect the younger ones when that happened. The older sisters would encircle them with their gentle arms. Leerin also cared for her younger siblings after growing up. Layfon had replaced the fist, protecting the siblings with the achievements he made as a Military Artist. They were happy though time was harsh. So what if their parents weren’t here? Many siblings had replaced them. They wouldn’t lose to anyone. Besides, their adopted father was guarding them.
We have had such happiness.
But it was destroyed.
No. Not Leerin, but Layfon.
Leerin believed it wasn’t anyone’s fault. She believed so. Even the reason behind Layfon’s actions did not change her thinking, but she never thought another person would do the same besides Layfon.
Her brothers and sisters began to split apart after that. No, only Leerin and Layfon had been separated. Layfon had left for another city, and Leerin had entered another school, participating in the Student Council. She could only show up in the Dojo a few times because the school was far from the orphanage.
Did she regret it?
No way. She couldn’t sink into regret and do nothing with her life. She didn’t think it was Layfon’s fault but she couldn’t see her siblings anymore. And Layfon wasn’t here. Leerin had become alone.
The name Marfes had this kind of background. Though it was rich with sadness, it was a name that had accompanied Leerin’s growth. Was she to give it up? Give it up and inherit the name Eutnohl. This great yet meaningless name that could change her record?
She was now standing at a crossroad.
The girl was still asleep. Her tightly closed eyes seemed to await Leerin’s decision.
Just one step. The problem was this one step. It was even heavier than Alsheyra’s question. This step would decide everything. Once Leerin took this step, she could realize the determination she made in Zuellni. And if she was to take one step back, she could forget everything. She couldn’t wrap everything up. She still had to rely on Layfon in the end. She came here because she hated that side of hers. Insult? Regret? These words sighed at her impotence. If she had held the attitude of those words, she wouldn’t have walked into this place.
The destruction began in herself. Leerin Marfes destroyed her own identity just like Layfon Alseif blackening out his own past. Cracks began to run through her. The most delicate repair could not fix it. Leerin knew she couldn’t ignore the cracks anymore.
She had already decided what to do.
“………..!”
She bit her lips and took a step forward.
It felt hard to breathe. Tension was at its peak. Suppressing her irregular breathing, Leerin came close to the bed and bent down. The soft mattress supported her.
The time on the bed began to flow. Saya opened her eyes.
“………. I had a dream,” Saya weaved her words softly. The quiet voice was enough to make one shiver. Her transparent voice slowly seeped into the darkness.
“You were in my dream. Is this the continuation of that dream?”
Leerin didn’t know how to reply. How? Perhaps Saya was trying to confirm for herself.
“No. That’s not it, Saya. This is real. At least, it’s real to me.”
“I see.”
Saya lightly breathed in as she lay on the bed. She then slowly sat up. Her delicate legs quietly moved, guiding her body to bend down beside Leerin. She suddenly hugged Leerin tightly. Her delicate fingers brushed away her hair. Guided gently, Leerin buried her head in Saya’s chest.
“I offer you my most sincere atonement and gratitude for your painful decision.”
“Don’t say that……….”
Leerin’s throat shook. Saya understood her. At Leerin’s appearance, she understood what decision she had made. What she had chosen and given up.
“I…….. I……….”
Her throat shook, failing to give voice to her words. Leerin couldn’t turn weak. That was how she kept encouraging herself. She had lived through everything. She had lived through it all by suppressing her cowardice.
“I’m sorry, but that’s all I can say. No matter how much I say to you, no matter what expectations I hold, no matter how I defend them, it’s all my personal wish. You’ve chosen a difficult life for that wish. I can say nothing but words of atonement and gratitude.”
“But you………..”
Though it’s not something unreasonable, I understand. Though it can’t be clearly expressed in words, I understand. Saya wasn’t in a slumber to sacrifice anyone. Besides, even if Saya held no consideration for Leerin and anyone else, everyone could keep on living only because of her existence.
Saya didn’t need to apologize at all.
“…….. You didn’t have to say that.”
“Really?”
Saya’s hand was still on the back of Leerin’s head. Her gentle fingers parted her hair and touched her scalp. Saya’s voice was crisp. Her fingers were delicate. An aroma cut through the tip of Leerin’s nostrils. Everything here was so real. The thin sense of reality shattered the wall of the dam Leerin had desperately built around herself, making her think this was all an illusion.
“Wuwu……..”
Saya gently caressed her head. All she did was repeat the motion.
“Um, Ah………….”
Sound of crying flowed from Leerin’s throat. The dam had burst. Even so, she kept holding it in. She had already decided not to cry. And she’d not lose even if she cried out loud. She couldn’t let anyone see her like this………
“Ah. Ahah……..”
Saya embraced her, continuing to caress her head. It felt as if she was being caressed by an adult. She couldn’t stop it anymore.
Leerin cried.
She felt light pain in her head. Her eyes were hot. It was a bit embarrassing but she felt more relaxed after crying. The traces of her tears on Saya’s dress were unbelievably real, as if they could bring her out of her dream.
“Feeling better?”
“……… Thanks.”
She took the handkerchief from Saya. She felt ashamed as she felt the rich material but she still used it to wipe her tears.
It was all right now.
She had let Saya see her shameful side, but it was all right. She could pretend nothing had happened with this level of shame. The days to come would definitely be more difficult. Helpless, she might even do more shameful acts. Today’s crying was nothing compared to the future.
“Then let us talk. I don’t understand anything. This right eye wants to tell me something but I don’t understand. About the right eye, you, and anything I don’t know. Please tell me everything.”
“All right. I understand,” Saya nodded lightly and began the explanation.
It was something that happened a long, long time ago.
“In this world exists a place to realize a wish.”
“A wish?”
“Yes. Once you arrive there, no matter what it is, including what you are not conscious of, the thing that hides in the deepest corner of your heart, even that wish can come true.”
“Even those things………”
“We call it the Zero Territory. The earth was once in a huge crisis. A huge war exploded across the world so a device was made to create Akukan (‘A’ space) in order to replenish the lack of resources. The Zero Territory was discovered as a result.”
“The earth?”
“That was the original of this world. Cracks appeared in the space that the earth was in because of the birth of Akukan. Akukan’s role is to expand the world. Its effect allows different spaces to overlap that never touch each other. This world is also part of it. But because something unusual had happened in Akukan, cutting off had become the deciding factor for survival. On one hand, Akukan has to maintain its shape as a space. On the other hand, it has to guarantee the amorphous inside that is the Zero Territory. This all led to the splitting of the world. What came next was the era of humans living in Akukan. The earth originally belonged to them, but they did not know of it. They continued living and spreading in Akukan, not knowing what was happening to others. And an experiment was carried out during that time.”
“It was an experiment called: The plan to investigate the Zetsuen Space. It was a plan to investigate the Zero Territory in order to find out the reason behind the cutting off of the world and another deeper problem – the Aurora atoms leaking out from the Zero Territory that cause changes in the human body.”
“Ailen was one of the people in the team. He’s the true owner of your right eye.”
At that time, Saya was in Zero Territory.
“Unlike him, I was born in another space. I was one of the people of another culture. But because of Ailen’s discovery and the interference with the Zero Territory, I gained the same form of the young sister that person had lost.”
“Younger sister……….? And then?”
Could it be that the Saya Leerin saw in Zuellni was another Saya?
Saya gave confirmation to her suspicion.
“Yes. Nelphilia. That person’s sister’s name.”
That child Nelphilia had accidentally fallen into Zero Territory. The limit of Akukan also came to a breaking point following the passage of time.
“Then, was her wish realized?”
“Yes. It should have been destroyed at the same time but that didn’t happen.”
“Destroyed?”
“The wish of a human is not perfect. But to put it in perspective, people can keep on living to realize unreachable wishes. However, an imperfect wish can come true in Zero Territory, giving form to its imperfection.”
Everyone was the same. They would fall into an exhausted state after experiencing the joy of seeing their wish come true.
Or it might be a feeling of despair at understanding the ugliness within oneself.
Witnessing the self that headed for destruction because of imperfection.
“People who lose their vitality in Zero Territory would immediately die. The state of the heart is closely tied to one’s existence. Even a machine reflects its maker’s heart, so many people died. I was born to bring hope amidst destruction, so I didn’t die in Zero Territory. But that space is extremely dangerous to people. But Nelphilia lived. Ailen too.”
“Why could the two of them survive?”
“This is only a guess, but Nelphilia probably wanted more people to acknowledge her beauty. Her definition of power is to have many people obey her. Her wish is limitless. I think she understood the limit that the Aurora atoms imposed on the realization of a dream and she took advantage of it. Next is Ailen. He didn’t know his sister had changed. He participated in the plan to save his sister. After that, the wish of that person came true according to the rule of Zero Territory. At the same time, my heart resonated with him as I wanted to complete my mission, so I obtained the form of his sister. That person’s wish was for his sister to escape and for him to obtain the power to protect her so she wouldn’t encounter similar event. That was how we escaped Zero Territory.”
“Wait a minute………” Leerin said.
Something felt strange.
“So the Zero Territory can realize one’s dream?”
“Yes.”
“But Ailen’s wish hasn’t entirely come true. Wasn’t his sister in the Zero Territory? Why didn’t she herself appear?”
“The Zero Territory cannot do everything. If Ailen had known she was there, things would have turned out differently. But it didn’t happen. Zero Territory only listened to that person’s wish and made it come true in its own way. It can’t distinguish what’s true and false. Zero Territory is not a system with that level of consciousness. It simply exists to give form to a wish. Same as the meaning of the words, it grants the form. I became like this because I was accidentally caught in it.”
“So all that Zero Territory makes true is false?”
“Only the person himself can tell whether it’s true or false. Besides, only he himself can tell whether the fake can satisfy his wish.”
Leerin breathed in deeply as she looked at Saya. Her false form came about from Ailen’s wish. She wasn’t the sister he wished to see. Had Saya been worried about that? Perhaps she’s still worried. Because she’s always been waiting for the person named Ailen.
“Sorry.”
“It’s ok. Let us continue.”
The plan to investigate the Zetsuen space fell through. Ailen escaped together with the experimental object, Saya. They then met the scientist who opened the Akukan – Riggzario. The three of them began a journey. Riggzario had been travelling in order to fix the problems appearing on the Akukan device due to its overuse for a long period of time. But the wearing out of the device far exceeded her predictions. In the end, Riggzario was caught in the collapse of another world just like Saya and became another scientist hovering in Zero Territory. The result was the summoning of Ignasis into this world. Ignasis obtained his power in the Zero Territory and destroyed the device of Akukan in the name of experimentation, trapping millions of people in Zero Territory.
“How could………..”
That meant death.
“His aim was to find the proof of souls and the paths of the people who disappeared in Zero Territory. Did despair really make people disappear? Had Zetsuen Space really destroyed Akukan?”
“To get so many people involved just for that………”
“The experiment was a success. Though the proof of soul is not definite, the people inside Zero Territory still exist. The total collapse of Akukan has eliminated Zetsuen space. Ignasis should have created a passage connecting it to other Akukans.”
“Should have?”
“I was made to allow the people to take shelter from the collapsing Akukan. Those people who had been melted by the Zero Territory lived inside me, and I was to use Riggzario’s device to give them new lives in a new Akukan.”
“Do you mean this is it?”
“Yes, it’s here.”
That was how this world was born.
“But at the same time of creating a new Akukan, Zero Territory started invading Zetsuen Space. Ignasis sought to destroy this world so Ailen prepared some defensive mechanisms. He used the power in his right eye to seal the space where Ignasis and his followers were in. And that’s………. the moon of this world.”
“The moon…….”
The moon hanging in the sky…….. had such a secret.
“But Ignasis didn’t just sit on the dim moon and wait for his destruction. He hates this world and that hatred made this world inhabitable for humans.”
“Pollutants.”
“Yes. In order to combat the weapon of Ignasis that was strengthened after absorbing his hatred, Ailen let his own genes descend from the moon.”
“And they are Military Artists and psychokinesists.”
This voice came from a third party.
Leerin turned around and saw numerous masks had appeared behind her. Strange masks wearing the faces of beasts. Those masks lined in a row as if to decorate the wall of this space flooded with dim moonlight.
“I thought it already took you tremendous energy to open the hole in Zuellni’s sky,” Saya said faintly, replacing the speechless Leerin.
“Though many people live in this land, we have numerous comrades on this side of the sky. No matter what, this battle is our victory because in Zero Territory exists slumbering souls that far exceed the number of people in this world.”
“Even so, you won’t know the end result.”
“………..”
“Numbers mean nothing in Zero Territory. The so-called power of numerous souls only obeys a stronger consciousness. You people are an example.”
“Then to prevent that strong consciousness from visiting Zero Territory, we can only fight in this world.”
Bodies appeared one after another. They wore the same clothes and had the same form. They were the same as those that Nina fought in Myath.
In their hands held weapon of the same structure. They were like mirror reflections as they attacked together. The speed of the attack, the air and the shouts filled with murderous intent made Leerin shut her eyes tightly.
Though she had shut her eyes,
she could still see them.
